2017 and the paradigm shift in Combat Sports

The UFC numbers are also distorted because Zuffa pulled a shitload of demand forward to juice their deal and sell out at the absolute peak.
McGregor and Rousey didn't just happen by accident or randomly. They didn't just come about right as the long time owners sell the company for billions of dollars. Millions of dollars went into promoting those two at the expense of the long term health of the sport of MMA because Zuffa no longer had to worry about playing long ball or care about building a sport.
IMO It is like maxing out a credit card on new clothes so it looks like you are doing well but that bill is going to be due at some point and then we will see how well you are doing.